NFC South: Lee Woodall

John Fox is pushing hard for experience as he rebuilds his defensive coaching staff after four assistants left in January.

The Panthers just announced Richard Smith will be the linebackers coach and Ron Milus has been added to work with the defensive backs along with holdover Mike Gilhammer.

Smith comes with an extensive résumé and has previously been a coordinator with the Texans and Dolphins. He also coached linebackers for the Broncos, Lions and Oilers. But his biggest claim to fame might have come in a stint with San Francisco from 1997 through 2002 when he helped linebackers Julian Peterson, Winfred Tubbs, Ken Norton Jr. and Lee Woodall reach the Pro Bowl.

Milus has worked with defensive backs for the Rams, Giants, Cardinals and Broncos. Smith and Milus will join a staff that's now headed by Ron Meeks, who took over after defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac, linebackers coach Ken Flajole, defensive line coach Sal Sunseri and secondary coach Tim Lewis left the Panthers for other jobs.